Massachusetts’ State
Digital Equity Plan Approved by National Telecommunications and Information
Administration
New Eligible Federal
Funding Will Help Healey-Driscoll Administration Tackle Disparities in Online
Access, Digital Training and Affordability
WESTBOROUGH, MA – The
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved
Massachusetts’ State Digital Equity Plan (PDF),
which was formally submitted to the federal government in December 2023. The
Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) and the Massachusetts
Broadband Institute (MBI) at Mass Tech will utilize new eligible funding
to continue its work with Massachusetts communities to address the digital
divide. This includes addressing digital skills training, access to devices,
and internet affordability, including increasing access to low-cost
options.
“Our administration knows that the
success of our digital economy depends on making sure that every community has
access to high-speed, reliable internet,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’ve
made important progress toward closing the digital divide, and our State
Digital Equity Plan will help us close the remaining gaps. We’re grateful to
the NTIA and Biden-Harris administration for their support of our efforts to
advance digital equity in Massachusetts.”
“Through the Massachusetts Broadband
Institute, the state has prioritized programs to support municipal digital
equity programs across the state, particularly in communities that are
traditionally underserved,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The
approval of the state plan will help us supercharge those efforts by unlocking
access to additional federal funds to implement these programs and help more
residents gain access to online job boards, healthcare resources, and digital
resources that are critical to everyday life.”
The State Digital Equity Plan was
shaped in collaboration of EOED and MBI’s “Internet for All” efforts, which
included a statewide listening tour, a public survey, and a public comment
period to incorporate feedback from community leaders, residents, and digital
stakeholders. Leveraging geographic data and digital asset mapping, the
administration evaluated existing barriers and established a framework with
measurable goals to tackle digital equity.
“Digital equity and inclusion are key
priorities for our state and this award will increase our economic
competitiveness and get us closer to achieving our statewide goals, by bringing
internet access to more residents no matter where they live,” said Executive
Office of Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “Through the
grassroots planning process, we engaged a wide range of organizations and
residents, to identify the challenges withholding residents from accessing the
internet. We’ve created a plan to address those hurdles and will empower a
stronger, and well-trained workforce for years to come.”
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has
taken a whole-of-government approach to federal funding that has already been
successful in securing nearly $3 billion in federal dollars, and has a current
total of more than $2 billion in funding requests still pending before federal
agencies to further priorities for infrastructure, climate, and economic
development across Massachusetts.
"The approval of the State
Digital Equity Plan is an important part of our whole-of-government strategy to
secure federal resources that further equity, workforce development, economic
competitiveness, and more," said Director of Federal Funds and
Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. "We are grateful to President
Biden, Secretary Raimondo, Administrator Davidson, and our congressional
partners for making possible this exciting step forward, and we will continue
our work to secure federal dollars for communities across Massachusetts."
“Today, Massachusetts is taking a
major step toward closing the digital divide,” said Angela Thi Bennett,
Director of Digital Equity, National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA). “The state's digital equity plan will empower every
resident, regardless of who they are or where they live with the digital tools,
skills, and opportunities they need to enjoy full personal, civic, and economic
digital participation throughout their lives with safety and security.”
“After working side by side with
residents, local officials, and digital equity experts across Massachusetts, we
are excited to put this plan into motion,” said MBI Director Michael
Baldino. “MBI is first and foremost focused on the communities we
serve. That’s why we amassed broad-based public feedback to build a successful
roadmap, which will help us to quickly launch programs that will identify and
assist people disproportionately impacted by the digital divide.”
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